His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to Tibetans in Tibet and in exile as well as friends and supporters world wide as the Tibetan New Year approaches from Rochester, Minnesota, USA on February 4, 2016. (Photo courtesy: OHHDL)

(TibetanReview.net, Feb07’16) – Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Feb 4 extended Losar – or Tibetan New Year – greetings to Tibetans in Tibet and in exile while reassuring them he was doing very well as he underwent precautionary prostate treatment in the USA. The Tibetan Fire-Monkey New Year for the current 60-year cycle of the Tibetan calendar system falls on Feb 9.

The Dalai Lama is currently undergoing treatment in the Mayo clinic, Rochester, in the state of Minnesota. “Here I am undergoing precautionary prostate treatment, and I want to take this opportunity to convey my greetings to our people, ordained and lay, young and old, especially those inside Tibet, as well as those in exile,” he was quoted as saying.

Noting that many people in Tibet and in exile had been dedicating prayers and performing rituals for his well being since his treatment began, the Dalai Lama expressed his thanks to them. And he said: “I want to tell you that I am doing very well. The treatment only takes few minutes everyday, but it will take time to complete the treatment. It’s nothing complicated or serious. There’s nothing to worry about. I am relaxed and taking it easy. It’s almost as if I am taking rest. I spend my time doing my daily recitations in morning and evening and reading other scripture. I want to tell you to not worry at all.”

Wishing everyone ‘tashi delek’, the Dalai Lama has explained: “Tashi means, since everybody wants to be happy and no one wants to be miserable, the cause of happiness is giving benefit and joy to others. If you create the causes of happiness, and live your life benefitting others and not harming them, that’s a meaningful life, a life that is essentially ‘tashi’.

“‘Delek’ is the result of creating the cause of happiness, ‘De’ meaning attainment of momentary happiness and “lek’ meaning attainment of ultimate enlightenment.”

And he asked everyone to try to live up to the meaning of ‘Tashi Delek’.

He also thanked the many other people around the world, including spiritual figures, scientists, and even young children, who had written to him to wish him well.